Court comes to the rescue of Kashmiri migrants

NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court Monday came to the rescue of 21 Kashmiri migrants who were forced to leave their shops in a south Delhi market following the construction of Delhi Metro.

Who drafted Sharm-al-Sheikh statement, CIC asks ministry

NEW DELHI - The Central Information Commission has asked the external affairs ministry for the files on the India-Pakistan joint statement, issued after the meeting at Sharm-al-Sheikh.

Court denies bail to three Chinese for Balco mishap

RAIPUR - A local court in Chhattisgarh’s Korba town late Monday rejected the bail applications of three Chinese engineers who were arrested in connection with the chimney collapse last year at the Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (Balco) power plant, in which 40 people were killed.

Iran seeks death sentence for five of exile rebel group

TEHRAN - The prosecution Monday demanded the death sentence for five detained Iranian demonstrators, state media reported.

Government expands scheme to benefit adolescent girls

NEW DELHI - Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath Monday said that the government’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) would be expanded to benefit adolescent girls and also grant benefits to pregnant and nursing mothers.

‘Rigorous efforts to abolish manual scavenging by March 2010′

NEW DELHI - Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Mukul Wasnik Monday said that India was making “rigorous efforts” to keep the March 2010 deadline for abolishing manual scavenging.

CBI pulled up for closing case, without petitioner’s nod

NEW DELHI - A city court Monday pulled up the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for not issuing a notice to the complainant before filing the closure report in a case of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Lawsuit opposing statehood to Puducherry dismissed

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Monday dismissed a lawsuit opposing “political moves” to confer statehood on Puducherry on the grounds that the new status will deprive the union territory of its special status as a former French colony.

Apex court adjourns hearing on Dadri land lawsuit

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Monday adjourned the hearing on a lawsuit of Reliance Power challenging the Allahabad High Court’s verdict partially scrapping the acquisition of farm land for the Rs.25,000-crore Dadri power plant.

Apex court dismisses plea for banning I-pill

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court Monday dismissed a lawsuit seeking ban on over-the-counter sale of birth control drug I-pill without prescription of a doctor.

Yesudas seeks price control on life-saving drugs

KOCHI - Veteran playback singer K.J.Yesudas Monday filed a petition in the Kerala High Court seeking the court’s intervention for a control on prics of life-saving drugs.

German surrogate twins: Can adoption be a way out, court asks

NEW DELHI - The twins of a German couple born to an Indian surrogate mother may have a chance to go to Germany - if the couple decides to adopt them. The Supreme Court asked the couple if they would consider adopting the two-year-olds as Germany does not recognise surrogate motherhood.

Ruchika case: High Court to hear Rathore’s bail plea

PANCHKULA - The Punjab and Haryana High Court will on Monday hear two anticipatory bail applications and a petition demanding cancellation of abetment to suicide charges against former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) SPS Rathore in connection with the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.

El Salvador president apologises to civil war victims

San Salvador, Jan 18 (IANS/EFE) Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes made a formal apology to the victims of the 1980-1992 civil war and acknowledged that state security forces “committed serious human rights violations and abuses of power”.

Peruvian animal rights activists protest sale of cats and dogs

Lima, Jan 18 (IANS/EFE) Peruvian animal rights activists caged themselves at a Lima market to protest the sale of cats and dogs, as well as pet “discrimination” based on breeds.

Prince William welcomed with traditional Maori kiss in New Zealand

LONDON - Prince William was greeted by Maori leaders with a traditional welcome reserved for a chief as he inaugurated a new Supreme Court building in New Zealand.